Integrated Thrust Area 2 (ITA2) addresses the physical challenges of cooling, storing, and rewarming biological systems. Its focus is on controlling ice formation, preventing thermal stress, and ensuring structural and functional integrity across a range of preservation regimes — from supercooling (up to -15 °C) and partial freezing (up to -25 °C) to vitrification (-150 °C). Rewarming technologies are designed to safely restore biological systems to room temperature without cracking or functional loss.
ITA2 comprises 11 collaborative projects involving researchers at MGH, UMN, TAMU, UC Riverside, and CMU, with many projects spanning three institutions, reflecting the center’s convergent, cross-disciplinary approach.
Together, these efforts develop the engineering foundation required for reliable, scalable, and high-throughput cryopreservation.
